I'm retiring my MSFFB stick for this sim, just got the new VKB Sim Gladiator!

[Blitzen]

I've had this sim from the beginning& like many others have had continuing control problems using my old trusty FFB stick:wobbling ,yo-yoing,over control ,over-control etc..
I've had a lot of help ironing out many of the worst aspects of flying with it thanks to others in this community who recommended various fine tuning of the stick's sensitivity &/or settings of the axis's. These all helped... but were no cure,esp with the FW-190 that I had basically given up on. I was also given advice from other well-meaning writers who had different sticks that i had to get used to the FM's sensitivity & fly with smaller input and better eye hand control. I came to believe that until they had experienced the problems they couldn't really understand my frustration.Perhaps this was also true with Studio 777's small incremental improvements of FFB.?
In any case I started following a thread here dealing with the up-coming introduction of the VKB Sim Gladiator stick, that featured far more bells & whistles ( ok ok just buttons,) than my FFB had.Far more keystrokes could be programmed into the stick-17 or so at the last count!!! With an eye towards eventually getting dependable VR system, I thought all this stuff might be a better solution than all the keys on my PC keyboard...why not pre-purchase one?It is only about $100.00 US-not bad al all!
It came yesterday & just plugged into a USB port.I did a superficial keystroke install ( a full one is going to take some time as you might imagine & will tax my so-so memory..) and flew a quick mission or two.As you might imagine I had to go back to fiddle a bit with the 'keystroke commands" but eventually got things off to a shakey start with my nemisis the FW-190...only it wasn't so shakey...in fact not shakey at all!!!!!! At last a steady gun platform with which I could hit things in the air & even more unbelievably on the ground ( before I could never line up dependably on any target or make small adjustment to even try to line things up.This was unbelievable! Even Track IR seemed to work better with the new stick! Wonderful- the sim finally took off.I knew what others have been experiencing all this time.
It not all good news:it doesn't have quite the "feel" that the FFB has- its a little clunkier or it may just be that after years with the other stick I need to get used to the new feel? The 12 buttons on the back of the base are small & I'll need quite a memory at first to remember what i programmed them for.I think they'll pretty useless with VR unless it  has some sort of  slot that I can peek down at the stick  & /or keyboard with.Of Course no FFB either ,but it never worked all that well with BoS.I might just keep my MSFFB for other sims like the original Il-2 . RoF & the beautiful Clod around ,but for BoS & BoM there is no going back-its Gladiator time from now on!

Edited July 10, 2016 by Blitzen

[VBF-12_Stele]

Sounds very impressive for "just" the $100 stick you bought. The $250 pro must be magic. Thanks for sharing.

[Dakpilot]

Seeing as MSFFB2 was released in 1998 and even the 'newest' ones are more than 10 years old I wonder if general wear and tear, regardless of all round bulletproofness, is a  possible reason for varied results

 

I find little difficulty with hitting ground targets accurately for instance, and many report different more negative experiences, although I bought mine secondhand I believe it had very little actual use

 

anyway it is great news that a  reasonably priced and decent joystick is available on the market

 

Congrats for being able to enjoy BoS and other sims again

 

Cheers Dakpilot

[Buglord]

Im on the verge of retiring my MSFFB2 as well, ive had it 15 years im also retiring my x45 throttle i use with the ms stick, they are both starting to wear out really quick now , so i need a new set up now but dont know what to go for. Im prepared to spend up to £250.

[Rjel]

Pretty impressive looking stick.

[SYN_Mike77]

Amazon is already out of stock.  Any other place on line I can pick one up?

[=362nd_FS=Hiromachi]

And I'm still waiting for Pro ... 

[seafireliv]

Reminds me of the AV8ter I used to have  The only thing I don`t like is the stuff at the back- be a pain to get at. Not that expensive either (in English money), but can you make a tight turn without stalling?

Edited July 6, 2016 by seafireliv

[SYN_Speck]

Im on the verge of retiring my MSFFB2 as well, ive had it 15 years im also retiring my x45 throttle i use with the ms stick

 

Same here. I think the x45 throttle was a great design. I've been waiting for someone to come out with a throttle with vert and horiz oriented trim wheels like the x45.(Please take note, VKB/Stratojet/Jason, when the time comes for a throttle?) The button layout, the two trim wheels, and the movement and ergonomics of it have kept me using it since I re-discovered flight sims about 10 years ago, even though the joystick part of it wasn't that great and has been gathering dust on the corner of my desk for about 8 of those years.

 

BTW, @ Bearcat, those ten or so years ago it was a forum post of yours that pointed me to a deal on a refurb X45 which, as I say, I'm still using the throttle portion of... Thanks, man! Definitely got my money's worth out of that one.

[Dutchvdm]

Hi Blitzen,

 

Thnx for the review. Although i don't have a lot of issues with my MSFFB2, it's becoming a little wobbly. How is the quality feel of the material and the buttons? I'm not a great plastic fan, but the MSFFB materials feel actually fine. How does this compare?

 

Thnx,

 

Martijn

[taffy2jeffmorgan]

Am I right in saying that the Gladiator has stick twist [rudder] and the Gladiator Pro does not ?

[KoN_]

Im on the verge of retiring my MSFFB2 as well, ive had it 15 years im also retiring my x45 throttle i use with the ms stick, they are both starting to wear out really quick now , so i need a new set up now but dont know what to go for. Im prepared to spend up to £250.

The above Gladiator or the new X56 that is coming out , or even the Warthogs for that price but your need rudder pedals with the warthogs . 

 

Am I right in saying that the Gladiator has stick twist [rudder] and the Gladiator Pro does not ?

That`s correct . 

[wtornado]

Please stop showing me more i have enough crap already with my CH quadrant,Microsoft force feedback 1 and 2

my Logitech 3D pro and my Logitech S13 my Trackir 5 pro.Sennheiser 350 gaming headphones.

 

I hope it never becomes available in Canada here so that I do not have access to it.

[6./ZG26_5tuka]

Amazon is already out of stock. Any other place on line I can pick one up?

Stratojet.

 

Gladiator Pro is expected to jit the European market in September. Hopefully there'll he a few reviews on this by than as well, especially concerning the new gimbal and extension compatebility.

[71st_AH_Mastiff]

Yes waiting on my gladiator pro, will provide an In-depth review; better than that so called review that click whore put out, on the stick that's not even available yet.

[TWC_Ace]

@Blitzen - Im glad you like it. VKB makes quality stuff even in mid range segment. Didnt know they already started to ship Gladiators. Pitty regular Gladiator wont be available for EU market. "Mid priced sticks" are very popular. For it isnt an issue as I will save for pro version.

Edited July 7, 2016 by blackram

[LeRocket]

Please stop showing me more i have enough crap already with my CH quadrant,Microsoft force feedback 1 and 2

my Logitech 3D pro and my Logitech S13 my Trackir 5 pro.Sennheiser 350 gaming headphones.

 

I hope it never becomes available in Canada here so that I do not have access to it.

unfortunately for you, it will be and i regret to inform you that the Canadian pricing is on each product page. better hide your wallet.

[Jason_Williams]

Guys,

 

Stratojet and Amazon received a small-ish air shipment of Glads while we wait for the bigger ocean shipment to arrive in the U.S.. Then there will be plenty. The air shipment has sold out at both Stratojet and at Amazon.

 

The T-Rudders are available and the Glad Pros will also be coming soon.

 

Blitzen - Glad you like the Gladiator and that it arrived ok. By the way it's VKB not KB. I amended your post. The wings are the "V".

 

I will also move this post to the hardware section which is more appropriate than GD.

 

Jason

[Sokol1]

I think the x45 throttle was a great design. I've been waiting for someone to come out with a throttle with vert and horiz oriented trim wheels like the x45

 

 

More as curiosity  - is not properly available outside of Russian/CIS market - Gametrix sold a low cost (~45$) throttle, with electronics developed by VKB (USB Controllers, MaRS on throttle axis) reusing the molds of Saitek X-45 (a way to lower manufacturing costs):

 

Gametrix ECS

Edited July 7, 2016 by Sokol1

[VBF-12_Stick-95]

Been eyeing the Pro version.  Just wish it had FFB.

[seafireliv]

Expensive to get if you live in England as Amazon will charge shipping fees! To be honest, i`m not sure I`d want to do without the FFB, but perhaps I can adapt.

Edited July 7, 2016 by seafireliv

[mAIOR]

I just got a warthog but if the gladiator is really good, might get it for Christmas. I like the idea of a proper German WWII stick... Makes my flights in the FW a lot more accurate

[KoN_]

I just got a warthog but if the gladiator is really good, might get it for Christmas. I like the idea of a proper German WWII stick... Makes my flights in the FW a lot more accurate

same here . 

[EAF_51_FOX]

Did you try to set MSFFB JOYSTICK without FFB enabled before stats that is not accurate like your new VKB? You will be surprized that the accuracy of MSFFB is THE SAME of your new rig if you take off the ffb.

[SYN_Speck]

More as curiosity  - is not properly available outside of Russian/CIS market - Gametrix sold a low cost (~45$) throttle, with electronics developed by VKB (USB Controllers, MaRS on throttle axis) reusing the molds of Saitek X-45 (a way to lower manufacturing costs):

 

Gametrix ECS

 

Wow, that's exactly what I was thinking about, it looks great. Looking at it made me remember another aspect of the X-45 that I like, which is that when you move it it rotates around an axis, rather than just pushing back and forth (like with CH throttle).

 

Thanks for the link, Sokol, it's interesting indeed! I wonder if Stratojet might work with Gametrix through VKB, when it comes time (hopefully before too long) to add a throttle to the lineup - for us in the west   Or just export/import these?

 

S~

Edited July 8, 2016 by SYN_Speck

[Sokol1]

Flightsimcontrols - the Europe VKB reseller in Neetherlands - sold some units of this throttle at some time ago.

 

https://flightsimcontrols.com/2015/07/gametrix-ecs-throttle-unit-is-available/

 

This China site have then:

 

http://www.yoycart.com/Product/524937046136/

Edited July 9, 2016 by Sokol1

[LLv24_Zami]

Great looking stick!

 

I got my Defender Cobra today and after a few test flights I would say it`s about ten times better than the X-52 Pro stick I was using earlier. It can`t get any better with that price.

[mAIOR]

Any news on the gunfighter? I would be interested in getting it for my ww2 simming and keep the warthog for my modern jet flying.

[dburne]

Any news on the gunfighter? I would be interested in getting it for my ww2 simming and keep the warthog for my modern jet flying.

 

One thing that has me interested in this stick, is I believe one can take the Warthog grip and attach it to the Gunfighter base.

Not sure how involved that process might be though, but it has perked my interest.

 

Edit: Jason posted on the VKB forums back in June that "maybe" fall of 2016. I think it was originally slated for 1st quarter 2016.

Edited July 9, 2016 by dburne

[Blitzen]

Slightly OT: I found this info on customizing Track IR for BoS ( I've had some problems getting the usual excellent Track IR to be quite as good with BoS for some reason.Anyway there are some XLM files to be founfd and downloaded here.Afterusing Notebook to open them up I find a lot of lines of text ,but I have no idea how to apply them...where they go .I'm lost can someone give me an idea how to use them?

http://theairtacticalassaultgroup.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15002&p=165001#post165001

[Lusekofte]

Is it not so that both the Glad and Glad pro got hall sensors and it is the metal gimbal that is the difference between the two

[Sokol1]

Yes, the difference is the metal with ball bearing and CAM mechanism in Gladiator PRO - without "twist rudder" -

in Gladiator the gimbal is plastic with pincer mechanism (similar to CH, old Tm sticks or most R/C transmitter gimbals).

 

The rest, grip, case, electronics, MaRS sensors (GMR  magnetoresistive sensors) is the same. 

 

 

dburne

One thing that has me interested in this stick, is I believe one can take the Warthog grip and attach it to the Gunfighter base.

Not sure how involved that process might be though, but it has perked my interest.

 

This "how to" for Vintage Mamba (Black Mamba with Gladiator grip) give you a idea on what is need do for use Warthog grip:

 

http://forum.vkb-sim.pro/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=2178

Edited July 19, 2016 by Sokol1

[dburne]

 

This "how to" for Vintage Mamba (Black Mamba with Gladiator grip) give you a idea on what is need do for use Warthog grip:

 

http://forum.vkb-sim.pro/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=2178

 

Thanks, I think "maybe" I might can handle that.

[1PL-Husar-1Esk]

I'm considering new joystick which would be easy to extend (the control column). I find Thrustmaster Warthog is one of that kind (http://warthog-extensions-by-sahaj.com).

If im not wrong this VKB Gladiator olso can be easy extended. So which is overall better, If  prise dosent matter much ? I know that availability of Warthog is good in Polnad, how about Gladiator?

[1Sascha]

Retiring an MS SW FF2 without it being broken? Sacrilege! :D

 

While the Gladiator Pro and especially the Gunfighter are extremely tempting, I see no reason to switch while my red-trigger FF2 still works as well as on the day I got it. That thing is now... errr.. 12? 13 years old (got it after MS stopped production and right around the time vendors were starting to run out of stock) and the only thing that's a bit off is the fact that the surfaces on the grip are pretty "grimy".

 

Tried to clean the grip using a bit of water - which didn't help. Think I'm going to try Armor All "cockpit spray" next. If it's good enough for the plastic in my car, it should be good enough for the stick.. Gotta get that gunk off of there.. :D

 

 

S.

[Sokol1]

 

I'm considering new joystick which would be easy to extend (the control column). I find Thrustmaster Warthog is one of that kind (http://warthog-extensions-by-sahaj.com).

If im not wrong this VKB Gladiator olso can be easy extended.

 

Gladiator and Gladiator PRO plastic bases is not properly suitable for use with extension, for this will be this model with metal  case base, projected considering the use of 20 cm (optional) extension - Gunfighter PRO:

 

http://vkb-sim.pro/project/gunfighter-pro/

Edited July 10, 2016 by Sokol1

[=362nd_FS=Hiromachi]

I wouldn't be so concerned with plastic or metal base. If there is a possibility that Galdiator Pro can be extended then it had to be designed to support it. And spending huge amount of money on Gunfighter only due to fact that it has the metal base is not a great help. 

[Sokol1]

I wouldn't be so concerned with plastic or metal base.

 

Well, this is VKB engineers opinion - are a link for original post somewhere there - but buyers are able to do what they want with joysticks they buy, e.g. buy 3rd part extension and use, like is done with Warthog. 

[=362nd_FS=Hiromachi]

If it is a standard modification available by the deafult, not some internal changes, cutting and doesnt break warranty I assume manufacturer tested it and takes responsibility. Otherwise Pro is extremely overpriced stick that hits the set of sticks which can be extended (200+ $ market) but itself is limited. 

[Blitzen]

 

You-can-have-it-both-ways-dept.:

To tell the truth I felt a little sorry that I was giving up on my old trusty still working wiith RoF,IL-2, & CloD FFB stick.My solution ( probably not a surprise) was to purchase a multi USB port with off & on switches .I can easily switch over to one stick or the other ( with their respective keystroke settings) depending on which sim I have decided to play.Wunderbar!There is a small drawback where to shove the not in use stick on an already crowded workspace...